Craven plan for play and gymnastics site set for approval

The village high street would be recreated as a play area for children

Plans to build a new children's role-play and gymnastics centre at a farm in a North Yorkshire village have been recommended for approval.

The venue in Cross Hills, Craven, would feature a miniature version of the local high street as a play area.

A separate gymnastics centre would also open at the site off Station Road and offer classes for children and adults.

North Yorkshire Council planning officers have recommended planning permission be granted for the scheme.

The replica high street would give children the opportunity to pretend to work at restaurants, hairdressers, vets, travel agents and other businesses as part of a role-play game.

The new centre would be built at the site of a farm in Cross Hills

A report published ahead of a meeting on Tuesday, said the project would allow the family which runs the farm to diversify their business whilst providing new jobs.

The council received 32 letters in support and 18 objections, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The report said the positive letters suggested the site would be well-used by residents and visitors.

There are also no dedicated gymnastics facilities in Craven, the council's sports development office said.

Glusburn and Cross Hills Parish Council said although the facility "could be of value" to the local area, the building should not be allowed because of concerns over traffic and the land being further developed in the future.

The application will be decided by councillors at a meeting on Tuesday.